“Good night, Pixie,” Jared says, draping his arm across my waist.
“Sweet dreams Emmy,” Ian whispered snuggling up against me on the other side.
“Night guys,” I smile.
Saturday, November 7th
∞
A rush of cold, accompanied by shaking, tugs at my consciousness.
“Hey Pixie, we’ve got to get to work. One of the guys should be over later.”
“M’k,” I mumble, blinking slowly as my eyes try to focus. Giving up, I pull the blanket over my head.
“We’ll arm the alarm system, Emmy. See ya tonight.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Do you think she’ll remember this”?
Rich laughter.
“Probably not. Come on Bro, we’ve got to get moving if we want to be on time.”
Dismissing the interruption, I slip into oblivion.
∞
An insistent ringing pulls me awake. Eyes shut tight, I feel around for my phone, desperate to silence the incessant noise. Thankfully it finally stops. I sigh in relief, content to go back to sleep.
Just as I start to drift, the ringing starts up again, jerking me back to reality.
“Seriously?!?” I growl, fully awake now. I glance around the unfamiliar room in confusion before remembering I’d spent the night in Ian’s room. The ringing continues, bringing me back to task.
“Ah Ha!” I cry, spotting the source of evil on the nightstand. Rolling to that side of the bed, I snatch it up and glare at the screen.
Incoming call from Vampire Jared
“Yes?” I snap, not ready to forgive him for disturbing me.
“Hey Pixie, don’t tell me you’re still in bed?”
“And if I am?” I challenge. “It is Saturday, you know, and I’ve had a hell of a week.”
“Tell Emmy I said Hi!” Ian calls in the background.
“Ian says ‘Hi.’” Jared dutifully informs me. “And you’re right, but look on the bright side, we’ve got a three day weekend.”
“Tell Ian I said hi back,” I sigh, resigned. “And what do you mean a three day weekend?”
“Monday is a teacher’s work day, so no classes, Pixie. They’ve been giving reminders all week.” I can hear his smirk through the phone.
“Perfect, then I can go back to sleep now and save the rest of my adulting for Monday.” Jared’s rich laughter surrounds me, and I smile to myself snuggling back into the pillows.
“Well Ian also wanted me to remind you that we’ll be back over with more paint tonight to finish your room.”
“That’s cool. We’ll have to figure out something for dinner. I still haven’t made it to the store and I wouldn’t trust any of the leftovers in the fridge. Which reminds me, I probably should throw that stuff out.”
“Bring up dinner in group chat,” Jared says. “I’m sure the guys want to meet up tonight to tell us about the game anyways.”
“Can’t you do it?” I whine.
“Some of us have jobs here, Pixie”
“Pfft, fine, whatever. I’ll text them at some point today. Although for the record, you don't seem to be working at the moment.”
“I’ll have you know this is a business call,” Jared counters. “As a representative of S.A.S.S. I’m pleased to inform you that the security contract for your property was created under the Langmore Trust. I verified that you are the only authorized contact person on the account, so you’re good there. Oh and you’ve got autopay set up, so no worries with us.”
“Thank you so much! I really appreciate you checking on that for me. I can scratch that off my list of calls.”
“Happy to help, Pixie. Anyways, I’ve got to get back to work. Send the text, and we’ll be over around five.”
“KK, have fun at work.”
Jared laughs. “Right, we’ll do our best. See you tonight.”
“Bye!” I call disconnecting.
Me: Hey guys. The twins and I are finishing up some redecorating tonight. Did y'all want to join us for dinner at my place around 5?
Angel Sebastian: Sounds good, see you then
Tank Clayton: I’ll be there
Rock Star Samil: Ok
Me: P.S. I’m open to suggestions on what to eat. The cupboards are bare here
Angel Sebastian: Don’t worry about it. I’ll grab Chinese for everyone, Sprite.
Me: Perfect! Thanks Bast!
Grinning, I go to put the phone back on the nightstand
Ding
I blink at the notification, and then open the private text from Samil.
Rock Star Samil: Hey Em, is that offer to stay at your place still available?
Me: Of course, any time
Rock Star Samil: How bout full time?
Me: Sure if you want. There’s plenty of room here. What’s up? Are you ok?
Rock Star Samil: Can we talk about it when I get there?
Me: Ya, of course.
Rock Star Samil: Cool, on my way. See you in 20
Well, so much for going back to sleep. I suppose I better make myself presentable.
Phone in hand, I head back to my room for a quick shower and change of clothes. After a short debate, I throw on a pair of black sweat pants and dig out a long gray Nightmare Before Christmas tee-shirt. I still can’t believe I managed to tear a hole in the side the very first time I wore it. At least it won’t matter if I get paint on it later.
Unfortunately there are no pockets in the pants, so I shove my phone in my bra and head down stairs. I’m halfway down when the front door opens, and I freeze, my heart racing.
“Hey Em, where you at?” Samil calls, stepping inside.
“Jesus, Samil. You scared the crap outta me. Knock first next time? Or at least text me a warning.”
“Sorry Em,” Samil replies, his voice strangely subdued. I rush down, only to stop short at the sight of black and grey tendrils clinging to his normally bright aura. A moment later the abnormal energy radiating off him hits me, and I take an involuntary step back.
“Em?” Samil’s expression twists in confusion. “Are you ok?”
“Uh... Ya, sure,” I stutter, trying to recover my composure. Turning, I walk to the kitchen, waving for him to follow as I bring up my shield.
“So... what’s going on?” I ask, circling around the island and grabbing a seat on one of the stools. “I mean, I’m happy for the company and all… But... Well... Let’s be honest. You didn’t seem that interested when I originally offered.”
“I got kicked out.” His voice is flat and it takes a minute for his words to register.
“Wait, What?!?” I gasp incredulously. “Your mom kicked you out???”
“Technically it was my Aunts… But the end result is the same.” He says, staring at the floor.
“WTF?!? How? Why? Is it because you’re 18 now?” I ask rapid fire.
“No…”
“Samil,” I reach out and grab his hands. “Clearly something is seriously wrong. I could feel it when you came in. Tell me what happened? Why would they kick you out?”
“They found me passed out naked on the living room floor this morning.”
“Umm... What? Why were you naked?” I ignore the heat in my face, wanting to understand. “I mean, why would that be a reason to throw you out? Sure, sleeping in the buff is kinda… weird… Especially in the living room. But they’re your family!”
“I didn’t do it on purpose. I think I was roofied last night, Em,” Samil groans, pulling his hands away.
“Wait, you think you were what?”
“Roofied. You know, drugged.”
“Ok, pause. I’m gonna need you to start at the beginning. You went to a school hockey game, for God's sake. How could you have been roofied there?!??!” Samil slumps against the counter, running his hand over his face.
“I don’t know, Em,” he sighs, looking more upset than I’ve ever seen him. “Everything was fine during the game. Afterword I ran into Mark, an old friend. He’d moved off the islan
d a few years ago and we’d lost touch. He invited me to hang out with him after the game. It didn’t seem like a big deal. It was a bunch of us in the school parking lot just talking shit while I waited for them to let us on the bus. I drank a soda someone gave me. Then it was time to go and Coach herded us on to the bus. One of the Juniors had snuck a flask on, and they were passing it around during the ride back. I had a couple drinks from that.” I blink in surprise, and it must have shown on my face because Samil pauses for a moment, before shrugging and continuing.
“After that, everything’s pretty blurry. The last clear thing I remember, was talking to the guys that brought the flask. The next thing I know. I’m waking up to my family arguing, and my clothes are nowhere to be found.” A faint blush dusts his cheeks and he looks away.
“Seriously? That’s some scary shit Samil.”
“Anyways, that’s why I’m pretty sure someone must have roofied me. I only had a couple shots from that flask. I’ve never blacked out before, Em. And trust me, I’ve had way more than that at parties and been fine.” I try to focus on Samil’s story, but in the back of my mind I’m wondering how this is the first time we talked about drinking. Not important at the moment, Emily.
“This is so fucked up, Samil. Are Sebastian and Clayton ok?”
“They’re both fine, I checked in with them as soon as I got away from my family. As far as I can tell, it was just me that got roofied.” Samil explains with a frown. “Clay and Bast said I fell asleep on the bus about an hour into the trip back. But that I seemed ok when they woke me up. Maybe a little groggy, but no red flags. I was supposed to spend the night at home so Mom and I could get up early today, get the boat out of the water, and start winterizing it. The guys said Mom was waiting to pick me up at the school when we got back, so they only talked to me for a couple minutes before we got off the bus.”
“And you don’t remember anything after the drinks on the bus?”
“No. I mean obviously I made it inside the house ok. But it’s just a blank for me. I woke up to my aunts screaming at Mom and my uncles yelling at me. Someone had thrown a blanket over me at some point, so I wasn’t totally exposed when I woke up. At least there’s that. It’s creepy enough knowing they saw me naked while I was unconscious.”
“Uhh, this might be a stupid question, but umm is that a thing for you? I mean, if you normally sleep naked… well maybe you were just sleep walking or something.”
“But I don’t, Em,” he replies earnestly. “I never sleep naked. I haven’t had my own room since… Since we moved into my Grandparent’s house. Mom and I shared a room at first, but I’ve been sleeping on the couch for the last couple years now.”
“This is so crazy, Samil,” I run my hand over my face. “I still can’t believe they kicked you out for that. They didn’t even let you explain? Give you a lecture and warning not to do it again before telling you to get out?”
“Not much talking, a whole lot of yelling though. My aunts yelling about how my cousins could have walked in and seen me naked doing god knows what in the living room. Calling me a drunk and an addict. Accusing me of bringing drugs, booze, and who knows what else, into the house. Exposing their children to all sorts of corrupting influences. Worrying about what would happen when I get caught by the police and I bring CPS down on their heads. They can’t afford my ‘bad behavior’ to bring attention to them.”
“Jesus. That’s seriously fucked up, Samil.”
“Yup.”
“What did your mom say about them kicking you out?”
“What could she say? The house belongs to the three of them equally. They took a vote and my Aunts outnumbered her…” Our eyes meet and the vulnerability in his hazel eyes makes my heart hurt. “So… If the offer for a room still stands… I was hoping I could stay here… keep you company… help out around the place...”
“Of course you can! Is your mom going to be ok with you moving in with me? I’m sure she assumes you’ll go stay with one of the guys.”
He shrugs, and I catch a glimpse of the tattoo on the side of his head as he runs his fingers through his magenta hair. I never have asked him about that tattoo, but this definitely isn’t the right time.
“So what if she does?” Samil bites out, his expression hardening. “At the end of the day, I’m 18. You’re 18. And thanks to my aunts, I’ve got to find a new place to live immediately. Even if she doesn’t like it, she’ll learn to deal with it. One less body to take up space and eat their food. If nothing else, it will give my Aunts one less thing to complain about.”
I frown, wanting to say more, but who am I to talk. After all, my mom just dumped me like yesterday’s trash. When I thought about it, our situations weren’t that different. I was just the lucky one that was left with a house and money to keep it going.
“Well, ok then, roomie,” I smile, offering him my hand. His hand slides into mine, his energy almost back to normal as we shake on it. “We can split the cost of food and stuff.”
“Seriously Em, I want to be a real roommate. Split all the expenses, fifty fifty. I’ve got money saved up, and there is always work available for me down at the marina.”
“Samil, I totally get it, but I don’t pay the bills here either,” I point out, raising my eyebrow. “Remember, the house came with a maintenance account that pays all the household bills. I’m not taking your money for stuff that is already paid for. You worked hard for that money; I’m not taking it from you out of some misguided sense of equality.”
“Fine, but anything not covered by the house account we split 50/50,” Samil grudgingly agrees. Though from his expression, it’s clear he still wants to argue the point.
“Deal.” I smile, pulling him into a hug.
“And, Em?”
Something in his voice made me lean back to catch his eye.
“Ya?”
“What I told you about last night... Can we keep that between us for now?”
“Of course, it’s not my story to tell,” I assure him, giving him a final squeeze before stepping back. “So, when are you moving in?”
“Well… I was hoping I could move in today. If that’s alright with you, that is.” He says in a rush.
“Of course it is. We can take my car. It would take forever to bring everything over on your bike.”
“Umm… Thanks Em… But I sort of already asked Bast to give me a hand.” He admits looking away guiltily. “We’re going to use his SUV, and I don't have that much to start with.’
“Oh, you were that sure I was going to say yes?” I ask playfully.
“Uhhh… I mean…”
“I’m just giving you shit, Samil,” I flash him a smile. “You were right to be confident. I’d already told you you were welcome to a room here. Part time or full time, I meant what I said. I just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances. But that’s not the point. I can still come and help carry boxes and things.”
“Please don’t take this wrong Em, but tensions at my place are already running high. This is really not how I want you to introduce you to my mom, and after this morning's drama, I don’t want to subject you to...”
A sharp rap on the front door, followed by the sound of the door opening interrupts his explanation.
“Hey, anybody here?” Clayton calls, and we exchange glances. Samil mouths ‘Thanks’.
“Don’t be a dork, Clayton; Samil’s bike is right out front.” Sebastian’s voice is quietly chiding. Louder he calls, “Yo, Samil, you ready to go?” A second later, his head pops into the kitchen. A bright grin lights up his angelic face as his emerald eyes meet mine.
“And good afternoon to you, Sprite.”
Clayton playfully shoves him aside, his long legs crossing the kitchen in a flash. He envelops me in a bear hug.
“Hiya, Trouble! Did Samil tell you the good news?”
“What good news?” I ask, glancing between the three of them.
“Nope, I was waiting for you guys to get here.” Samil says, relaxing a
gainst the counter. You’d never guess we just had a crazy serious conversation.
“We won the game, of course! We have some celebrating to do!” Clayton beams.
“OMG that’s terrific! Congratulations guys!” I give Clayton another hug before turning to Sebastian and then Samil. “We’ll have to plan something extra special.”
“We’ll figure it out later, once we’re all here. Anyways, we should get a move on. We’ve got to drop Clayton off at work, before we head to your place Samil.”
“You gonna be ok here on your own Trouble?” Clayton asks?
“Of course I am. I’ve got some calls to make while you guys get your stuff done. I’ll see you tonight.”
With a final wave, the three of them head out, and I arm the house behind them. The place feels strangely empty with them gone, and regardless of the reason, I'm suddenly relieved that Samil will be moving in full time. Until now, I hadn’t registered how much time the guys had spent here since Mom left. The way they’d gone back to trading off who would spend the night here and then ride to school together in the morning. I hadn’t really spent much more than a couple hours alone in the house. The weekend really brought home how alone I was. Mom was gone, and she wasn’t coming back.
Shaking off the depressing thoughts, I square my shoulders. Stay focused on the here and now.
And right now, I have phone calls to make. I pull out my phone and dig the list of automatic payments from my bag. Time to make sure none of these accounts are set up in my Mom’s name.
∞
Two hours of boring phone calls later, and I’ve only managed to check four names off the list. Unfortunately, some of the companies were closed except for emergencies and I’d have to try again on Monday. Thankfully the ones that were open were able to confirm that everything was set up in the trust’s name. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders, knowing it was unlikely that the power or something else important would be shut off before I could try again on Monday. Although it was weird as hell having to identify myself as Emilienne Langmore from the Langmore Trust. I think I said my given name more times today, than the last 6 months combined.
Wave of Truth (The Magic Catalyst Chronicles Book 4) Page 4
